FCA Still Undecided on Ram Midsize Pickup

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has provided weakened guidance regarding its projected profits and free cash flow for this year. The announcement came laced with one interesting nugget of information regarding the possibility of a midsize pickup truck.

Last June FCA, under the leadership of former CEO Sergio Marchionne, rolled out its multi-year plan for each brand. When discussing the future of the Ram brand the automaker confirmed it would produce a new Ram midsize pickup by 2022.

During the recent call with investors, FCA CEO Mike Manley was asked whether or not the midsize truck was still in the cards for the 2022 timeline. Manley replied that the company has not yet approved it for production, according to Reuters.

The answer was given in the context of discussing how the company’s capital expenditures are expected to rise over the next two years. Manley suggested the majority of the increase stems from a pending redesign of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Grand Wagoneer, two products will certainly have a positive impact on FCA’s profits.

Manley did not provide any details as to when FCA will make a final decision on the Ram midsize pickup.

About Nick Saporito

AutoVerdict Senior Editor Nick Saporito began writing about cars at age 13. Nick ran a couple of automotive enthusiast sites for several years, before taking some time off to focus on his career and education. By day he's a marketing executive in the telecom world and by night he hangs out here at AV. You'll find him focusing on tech, design and the industry's future.

Well the Jeep serves a market a Ram pickup would not be in. It would have a lower price point and be available for commercial uses.

And they already developed the frame they need for it. So it should be a cheaper option.

This is true. In these times of trucks and SUV's I think it would be worthwhile to have a new Dakota or whatever it would be called. It would be a real truck and not a "made over" Wrangler into a pickup. Therefore it would serve a completely different crowd.

It would be wiser to just put all their eggs in the new Jeep mid size pick up basket.

Exactly. FCA already does have a just-launched product in this segment in the Jeep Gladiator. I'm sure they want to see how the market responds first before deciding if there is another gap in the marketplace for a RAM product. Sounds like smart product planning.